Varied Carpet Beetle - Anthrenus verbasci

Species

Description

Adults are 2 to 3 mm long and have a mottled pattern of pale beige and darker blackish markings, although both patterning and range of colours vary.

Photo ID?

Habitat

In houses searching out sites to lay eggs under carpets etc. Adults also feed on flower pollen whilst searching for a mate.

Life History

This small but colourful beetle can be a serious household pest. Its larvae, known as 'woolly bears' feed on natural fibres including carpets and clothing. Away from humans, the adult beetles often lay eggs in bird nests but they commonly get into houses and lay eggs under carpets or in cupboards. The larvae can take up to three years to develop into adults. Amongst other favoured larval foods are dead insects and spiders.

UK Status

Widespread records from England and Wales.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 36 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.

HAPeacockLeicester Garden - 29 March 2012

David NichollsRatby garden1 - 28 June 2009

David GouldLeicester Garden - 28 May 2011

David NichollsRatby garden - 03 July 2011

Barbara CooperLong Clawson - 03 May 2014

Graham CalowSapcote garden1 - 23 July 2014larva

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

Enter a town or village to see local records

UK Map

On the Leicestershire & Rutland map above, red= NatureSpot records, green= NBN records. You can add a dot to this map if you submit a wildlife sighting (with or without an image). You can also find out more about these species distribution maps on our Maps help page.